These essential outdoor summer safety tips for seniors will help you enjoy the warm weather to the fullest. Being outside is one of the nature’s best medicines. In fact, research shows that sunlight improves your mood and focus. It makes you feel calm and alert. But you need to make sure that walking, gardening, and a day at the beach are all done safely.
Summer Safety Tips for Seniors
Watch the Sun
- Avoid the hottest part of the day. The sun is at its hottest and most harmful point during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to avoid being out during these hours. If that’s too inconvenient, stick to indoors between noon and 2 p.m at least.
- Use sunscreen. Always use sunscreen to protect your skin when you’re outdoors. Use sunscreen that has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 to 50 for best protection. If you’re sweating a lot or in the sea, reapply your sunscreen every couple of hours. If you’re looking for your simplest option, use spray because this is easiest to rub in.
Drink and Dress Right
- Stay hydrated. Aim to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day to make sure you stay well-hydrated. Caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee because these are diuretics which means they actually cause you to lose liquid. Avoid sugary drinks like iced tea and sodas. Not only is the sugar unhealthy, too much sugar can contribute to dehydration.
- Dress right. Remember the Bedouins in the desert? Learn from their style of dress and aim for light colors and light fabrics. Dark colors absorb the sun’s hot rays and make you feel hotter. Heavy fabrics will keep that heat in.
Think Ahead
- Check your yard for obstacles. Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults aged 65 years or older. There are many reasons why seniors fall. Heart disease and low blood pressure can cause dizziness. In addition, poor vision and weak muscles can affect your balance. To keep safe, have a gardener or family member fix broken or loose steps, clean up rocks and even out flagstones that could trip you up.
- Keep an emergency kit handy. Keep an emergency kit on hand when you go outdoors. Your kit should include: a bottle of water, flashlight, list of current medications, copy of insurance cards, and phone numbers for health care providers. And don’t forget your cell phone.
Sometimes, it’ll be just too hot to go out. When the summer temperatures soar, remember that air conditioning is your friend. If you feel too hot, spend time in air-conditioned spaces. You don’t have to stay at home to do this. You can visit the library or browse through an indoor mall.